Spotlight on DeMarcus Cousins: The irascible big baby is also an intimidating big man, one who can cause major problems when he’s engaged in a game. He hurt his quad earlier in the week, but played Thursday against the Timberwolves, corralling 14 rebounds in the Kings win. The Kentucky product has averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 boards in the past 10 games.

NOTEBOOKKings: Sacramento has lost its seven past games to Denver. … The Kings have lost the previous three matchups to the Nuggets by an average 20 points. … The Kings allowed the Nuggets to score 71 points in the first half of the Jan. 26 game, the most points scored by the Nuggets in a first half this season. Then, on March 5, Sacramento allowed Denver to pour in 70 points in the second half, which was, yep, the most points scored by the Nuggets in a second half. … Kings director of player development Fat Lever spent six big-time seasons with the Nuggets (1984-90).

Nuggets: Since returning from a thigh bruise, Denver forward Danilo Gallinari has been underwhelming. He’s had terrible shooting nights in each of the past two games, and in the past seven games, he’s averaged 11.9 points, while shooting 28.8 percent from the field. … Denver is 31-3 at home this season. Benjamin Hochman , The Denver Post

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.